My Writer's Blog

While working at an event clearly meant for a white audience only, I was faced with a rather predictable situation. Despite my awareness of racial imbalances, it was still quite shocking to witness upfront how the system that many try to dismantle is kept in place. It gave me a glimpse of what goes on behind closed doors. I got a brief look at the way Africans are talked about in our absence. 

During the event, the ambassador of a European country was sharing the  circumstances he had observed on the African continent. He talked to his audience about the economy, the weather and housing situation. The diplomat described that the country has been unable to solve its problems since its independence. He eagerly explained that street protests and demonstrations prevail every day. Essentially, he was emphasizing how incapable that African country has been to sustain itself since the Europeans left in the 20th century. Keep in mind that everyone in the audience was white.

One lady asked: 

„How are the current relations between the African country and its former colonizer? Not economically, but rather on a personal basis. How do the citizens speak of France in the 21st century?“ 

Questions I was eager to hear the answers to as well.

The ambassador reacted rather annoyed. The annoyance did not stem from the question being asked. The reaction had to do with the answer in itself.

Condescendingly and with a smirk on his face the ambassador replied: 

„Everything is France’s fault. No matter what happens the citizens are quick to blame it on the former colonial power. Be it substantial issues such as power outages or minor concerns like the weather. The Europeans are always to blame!“

Laughter. 

The whole audience started to shake with it.

Everyone was laughing. Including the representative. 

Everyone - except for me.

Africa’s issues apparently are a laughing matter and I seem to have missed the joke.  

The working relationship that I was in did not allow me to respond or ask any questions. Believe me, I had plenty. Soon, the questions turned into statements. 

Statements with those I, as well, put the blame on Europeans and former colonial powers. Such as: 

Yes, it is your fault that I have questioned the size of my nose so many times before

Yes, it is your fault that I have felt uncomfortable when Africa, Slaves or HIV were mentioned in class 

Yes, it is your fault that the world associates Africa with starving children, hunger and poverty

Yes, it is your fault that people are losing their homes and sanctuaries due to Natural Disasters caused by Climate Change

While bad weather in itself and poor harvest might not be 

The coping mechanism that is used to blame it on you is

Indeed

Your fault 

Therefore, bad weather is too

By stating detrimental facts about Africa and her citizens, negative  images of the continent are endorsed. The persisting versions of African countries in westernized minds already consist of images of hunger, poverty and shortages. These are supported and upheld by conversations and events like this one. Privileged, white people that have the opportunity to be part of such a get together usually consume media that have a  westernized viewpoint. That vehicle is especially used to keep those destructive images in place.

So, my questions would be: 

What is the goal of adding such an event to the plate?

If not, the continuation of the status quo? 

As long as, those spaces are used to speak about Africans in that manner Europeans are to be held accountable. 

As long as, diplomats can look a woman of African descent in the eye while willingly mentioning such destructive information: 

bad weather is their fault.